672 ' HO W TO USE STIMULANTS. 



The name of Mars in Hebrew signifies "ignited;" witli the Greeks 

 Mars meant "incandescent;" the Indians called it "Anagraka," which 

 means "burning coal," and the "red body." 



Henri de Parkvillc, in his book, "An Inhabitant of the Planet Mars," 

 gives ns a most entertaining account of the supposed discovery of one of 

 these creatures in an aerolite which fell and was found in America. In the 

 portrait of the gentleman, his nose begins at the top of his head and ex- 

 tends down to his mouth, looking much like the short trunk of an elephant. 

 Our readers must make allowance, however, for a French imagination. 



Our globe aj)pears to Mars but as a bright star. The earth is nearest to 

 Mars when between it and the sun, but at that time its dark side is turned 

 toward Mars, and of course it is not visible to that planet. 



It is therefore only visible to Mars when it is partly illuminated by the 

 sun. Even then it is bright enough to be seen in the daytime. Our earth 

 apjjears as the morning and evening star to this planet. — Christian Weeldy. 



MEDICINE AND HYGIENE. 



HOW TO USE STIMULANTS. 



The British Medical Journal of ISTovember 10th contains a paper ."On the 

 Medical Injunction of Stimulants in Disease and Health." by Dr. Dyce 

 Duckworth, F, E. C. P,, whose eminence as a physician will commend his 

 words to the faculty, while the clear common sense of his inferences will be 

 found a sufficient recommendation of them to the lay readers of the Times. 

 Dr. Duckworth agrees that the reproach cast upon England for its notori- 

 ous drunkenness is utterly grievous. The question, he says, is one for the 

 the clergy and the doctors. When the doctors agree and lay down princi- 

 ples to guide the clergy the two professions will be able to lay an irresisti- 

 ble case before Parliament. It is discreditable to the profession, he thinks,, 

 that thej^ should be divided, not in opinion, but about facts. There is no 

 middle course : stimulants are all right if rightly used', or all wrong if 

 used at all or in any degree. Dr. Duckworth then gives what he holds and 

 sees to be the true and legitimate position of thoughtful medical men in res- 

 pect to the use of stimulants in disease. He groups the diseases in whose 

 treatment alcohol is and is not of use, and concludes that there is no routirie. 

 in the matter of employing stimulants. "We put alcohol, with its congen- 

 ers, into our therapeutic armamentarium; it is to hand when wanted, just 

 as are quinine, calomel, the lancet or the cupping glass. We cannot do with- 

 out it or any of these things, but we employ them or not, as our bedside 

 knowledo-e indicates." 



